The record shows he was arrested at 6 p.m., facing a charge of destroying/concealed writing, otherwise known as retail fraud.

Salazar said police arrested the officer at a North Side store, but were unable to release the exact location as of Wednesday night.

SAPD Intelligence and Internal Affairs divisions are investigating the case, Salazar said, adding that more details regarding charges and disciplinary proceedings will be announced when they are available.

On May 5, Nieto was arrested and accused of trying to steal “a large amount” of ammunition from a sporting goods store, police said.

The chief said that around 2 p.m., security officers caught the incident on surveillance video. When the officer went to pay at a checkout and did not pay for the ammunition, he was detained, and police were called.

Nieto, who works at Central Patrol, is a three-year veteran of the force. He was shopping with his two children, 1 and 3, Treviño said.

The chief expressed “shock” that the officer would do something that could end his career.

“It's something you hope never happens to one of our officers,” Treviño said.

Nieto was booked on May 5 for theft $50-$500, which is a Class B misdemeanor. He was put on administrative leave pending further investigation by Internal Affairs and Intelligence.